by Liverpool have missed out on signing Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi as the player has told Richard Hughes he will stay this summer.
Liverpool had identified Zubimendi as their No. 1 target for the defensive midfield position, with the Spaniard seen as a backup to Wataru Endo. Arne Slot was impressed by Zubimendi’s high-quality performances for both Sociedad and Spain, and this prompted sporting director Hughes to work hard on a potential deal.
Zubimendi’s contract includes a €60 million (£51.3 million) release clause, which is a very reasonable fee considering his talent.
Liverpool negotiated the structure of the deal with Sociedad, hoping to get their man. But the La Liga side were always keen to keep their academy graduate, as they had done in the past when Arsenal and Bayern Munich came calling.
DON’T MISS: This is what the new Liverpool team will look like in the 2024/25 season if Arne Slot achieves all his transfer targets
In a sensational news story on Monday evening, Fabrizio Romano revealed that Zubimendi had turned down Liverpool following a “formal communication” directly with Hughes.
Sociedad’s efforts to keep hold of the 25-year-old have been “decisive” and he is even willing to sit down with the Basques and discuss a new contract. Such a deal would likely see an increase in Zubimendi’s release clause and also tie him down beyond 2027, when his current contract expires.
On Monday, renowned Liverpool reporter Paul Joyce stated that Sociedad was using dirty tactics to try to prevent Zubimendi from moving to Liverpool.
They told the Spanish star that he would have to activate his own release clause if he wanted to move to Merseyside, something Sociedad knew would be extremely difficult for the player given the love he has for his boyhood club.
Liverpool transfers: Martin Zubimendi stays
This amazing strategy worked, as Zubimendi will once again stay at Sociedad despite being given the chance to join a truly elite club.
While it would be great for Sociedad fans if Zubimendi stayed with them for his entire career, for the player himself it could become a question of “what if” at the end of his football career.
It is currently unclear which midfielder Liverpool will sign instead, although they have previously been linked with players such as Teun Koopmeiners, Adrien Rabiot and Ederson (Atalanta).
READ MORE – Liverpool midfield targets: EVERY option for the 2024 summer transfer window
